New York state of mind

(buy this gorgeous photo here (sans wording)).

One of the only good things about having a husband who travels a lot is that I get to travel with him. A lot. And the insane miles and points we live off of.

So this morning I'm off to New York for a couple nights, narrowly missing the fashion week mayhem.

And New York is one of my favorite places to visit. It's just electric... it's always in motion and colorful and feels special and exciting. At least for me. I've never been sure about living there but I am 100% in love with visiting at regular intervals.

Here's my mini-guide to some of what a 'beauty' person does when in town.

Along with nails, hair, waxing, meeting with PRs and all that other stuff, I will...

Visiting my favorite coffee place here and juice place here.

Stop here, here, here, here, and here and a few others.

See this brand in this gorgeous shop.

Maybe pick a new scent from here.

Perhaps meet up with a brilliant makeup artist friend.

Stop here to pick up some of their skincare, newly launched in the US.

Eat dinner here. 

Love this series of illustrations a little bit more with each visit.

Try (*gulp*) this.

Stay here so we're close to the Hub's work.

And... breathe.

I think that's all I'll have time for in a 48-hour window. If I don't sleep.

Have any New York travel tips or secret addresses? Share them!

Where's your favorite place to visit?

xox

FROM THE FRONT | Sephora Collection Skincare

SEPHORA IS the Shangri-la of beauty in most of its markets. The Champs-Élysées boutique is a subterranean wonder. Union Square, though diminutive in floor plan, is expansive in its offering.

The brand is also pretty good at duping all sorts of amazing cosmetics and beauty tools, with a solid following for said tools, many of its color cosmetics and, recently, its more foundational items (primer, makeup fixant, wrinkle filler et al) in the gun metal gray containers in the end-of-aisle displays.

I've heard not just a few of the smaller brands stocked by Sephora grumble that once they're actually in the door and on the shelf, there is a lurking fear that their products' doppelgangers will one day end up on Sephora's own brand display. That said, I think they do a good job of differentiating their own brand stuff, in look at least, from the brands they currently stock. [If any brands disagree, EMAIL ME and let me know!]

Sephora's new skincare offering reminds me of a mash-up, in appearance, of a few other beauty brands but I can't think of them off the top of my head. Ole Henriksen? Murad? The collection, named hydrosenn+ after the trademarked hero ingredient HydroSenn+™ (apparently 'a breakthrough plant-derived hydrator') has fourteen SKUs.

The micro anti-ageing range has 4 SKUs within that 14, including a serum -- the must-have beauty product category of the year (and possibly next few years as I don't see anything to rival it on the horizon).

I give the brand credit, though.

These new products -- like the serum -- are free from ingredients that regular feature on big-box beauty labels, including parabens, sulfates, phthalates, GMOs and triclosan. That said, many things still crop up that aren't entirely savory. That said, I'm not expecting raw, organic, hand-picked blah blah blah beauty here. Nor should you. It's minimum input for maximum profit. That's how most of beauty works. Lots of cheap fillers, a few actives (whether or not they're in active amounts or states in said product) to highlight on the label and on the market they go.

[If you're curious about what goes into your beauty products and don't understand what something is when reading the ingredient list, don't just sit there! Be proactive. Copy the word and Google it. There are heaps of independent, reputable sites that will tell you what it is, why it's used in personal care products and if there are studies backing up the claims that it's safe/unsafe, etc.]

The products come in innovative packaging -- airless pumps, face wipes, roller ball applicators, pads -- as well as the usual jars and tubes.

Prices range from $7 to $32, so on the affordable end of the spectrum.

Check out the whole collection below.

		1. Supreme Cleansing Foam $15 A foam that removes makeup and cleanses the complexion in one simple step.
		2. Instant Moisturizer $20 An intensive moisturizer, radiance booster, and wrinkle fighter.
		3. Flawless Moisturizing Lotion SPF 15 $22 An exceptional daytime moisturizing lotion.
		4. Age Defy Moisture Cream SPF 15 $30 A complete antiaging treatment and day cream.
		5. Instant Depuffing Roll-On Gel $15 A de-puffing eye gel that instantly leaves eyes looking fresher and brighter.
		6. Age Defy Eye Cream $24 A complete eye cream that fights puffiness, dark circles, and crow's feet.
		7. Super Loaded Age Defy Serum  $32 An ultra-moisturizing serum to firm skin and fight wrinkles.
		8. Smart Dual Action Exfoliator $24 A facial exfoliator with two textured creams in one jar.
		9. Express Cleansing Wipes $9 A packet of biodegradable, pre-moistened wipes for cleansing the face, eyes, and lips.
		10. Instant Eye Makeup Remover $8.50 A refreshing eye makeup remover gentle enough for contact wearers and those with sensitive eyes.
		11. Eye Makeup Removing Pads $9 Pre-moistened pads that remove makeup while strengthening and moisturizing lashes.
		12. Instant Refreshing Toner $12 A hydrating mist that refreshes and tones skin after makeup removal.
		13. Nourishing Hand Cream $7 A three-in-one cream for hands, nails, and cuticles.
		14. Super Supreme Body Butter  $25 An ultra-rich body cream that provides intensive hydration.

FROM THE FRONT | Cyber Monday beauty deals

IF YOU'RE looking for a beauty bargain, today might be a good day to get one. Get the codes, details and deadlines by which you need to shop here...

AOL Stylelist lists top beauty brands who are offering up to 35% and 40% off and free shipping through tomorrow.

There's some overlapp with AOL Stylelist, but Daily Makeover also lists some other crack brands that are offering everything from actually good, usable free gifts with purchase to free shipping and more.

FitSugar has a list of brands from Adidas to lululemon with offers on right now. 

Real Style Network has some goodies, like Bobbi Brown, Sephora, DHC, Origins and Philosophy.

Temptalia has an exhaustive list of beauty offers on Cyber Monday, including 67% off Ole Henriksen holiday kits and 50% off NYX while supplies last.

People Style Watch lists beauty.com as having Laura Geller at up to an 80% discount.

iVillage has a list in slideshow format that tells us about deals at places like Kiehl's, C.O. Bigelow, Emerson Made, Forever 21, Nude Skincare and more.

RetailMeNot has a brilliant list of coupon codes for Cyber Monday, including MAC (free overnight shipping) and Boden (30% off and free shipping).

GeekSugar offers up a Cyber Monday shopping guide to help you navigate the glut of goods and pitfalls out there.

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